The USGA promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. It acts in the best interests of the game for the continued enjoyment of those who love and play it.

Become a USGA Member and join a community of engaged golfers who experience the satisfaction of supporting the game. USGA Members enjoy access to exclusive benefits, content, offers and more.

REGISTER

SIGN IN

U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

CordeValle To Host 2016 U.S. Women's Open
June 25, 2013 | Far Hills, N.J.
By USGA

The 2016 U.S. Women's Open at CordeValle (17th hole pictured) will be the second USGA championship at the San Martin, Calif., club. (USGA/Kirk H. Owens)

The United States Golf Association today announced CordeValle, in San Martin, Calif., as the host of the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open Championship. The championship, which will be conducted July 7-10, will be the first Women’s Open held in the Bay Area and the second USGA championship conducted at CordeValle, which will host the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in September 2013.

“The San Francisco area has a rich history of hosting USGA championships, and the USGA is proud to add to that tradition with the U.S. Women’s Open at CordeValle,” said Thomas J. O’Toole Jr., USGA vice president and chairman of the Championship Committee. “Northern California has produced two of today’s most accomplished female players in Women’s Open champions Paula Creamer and Juli Inkster, and we look forward to bringing this championship to such a vibrant golf community.”

“CordeValle is very honored to host the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open Championship and welcomes this opportunity to develop a stronger relationship with the USGA," said Alan Campey, president of CordeValle. “From our acclaimed golf course to our world-class resort facilities, the Women's Open competitors, spectators and guests will have a wonderful experience at CordeValle. And that experience will be bolstered by the crucial support from our club members, local community and financial supporters, without whom this championship would not be possible.”

Former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is a member of the USGA’s Nominating Committee and a professor at Stanford University, will serve as honorary chairman of the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open.

“USGA women’s golf serves as an avenue of empowerment and opportunity for women and girls all over the country,” said Rice. “As the honorary chair of the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open at CordeValle, I am proud to welcome players, their families and fans to the Bay Area to share in this rich tradition.”

The name CordeValle is derived from the Spanish phrase “el corazón del valle,” or “heart of the valley.” Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 1999, CordeValle is located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The course sits on 270 gently rolling acres and incorporates natural elevation changes, streams and wooded areas into the layout.

Since 2010, CordeValle has hosted the PGA Tour’s Frys.com Open. CordeValle hosted the 2011 PGA Cup, which matches the top PGA golf professionals from the United States against their counterparts from Great Britain and Ireland, and will again host the event in 2015. It also hosted the second USA-China Youth Golf Match in 2012. From 2005 to 2012, the course hosted the Gifford Collegiate Championship, and will again host the championship starting in 2014.

Considered the world’s premier women’s golf championship, the U.S. Women’s Open is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA. It is open to professional female golfers and amateur females with a USGA Handicap Index® not exceeding 4.4. The championship was first conducted in 1946 and boasts an impressive list of winners, including Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Betsy Rawls, Mickey Wright, Hollis Stacy, Amy Alcott, Meg Mallon, Annika Sorenstam, Se Ri Pak, Juli Inkster, Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer.

The Women’s Open has been conducted in California on two previous occasions. In 1964, Wright took a playoff victory over Ruth Jessen for her fourth and final Women’s Open victory at San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista, while Janet (Alex) Anderson captured her only championship title in 1982 at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento.

The 2013 U.S. Women’s Open is being conducted this week at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y. The 2014 U.S. Women’s Open will be conducted on the famed Course No. 2 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Village of Pinehurst, N.C., with the U.S. Open being conducted on the same course the previous week. The 2015 U.S. Women’s Open will be conducted at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club, while Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., will host the 2017 championship.